Memorial's Raymon Garcia (11) smacks hard into Mike Ramirez after he is slowed by Roger Garcia (19) as McCollum plays Memorial at Harlandale Memorial Stadium on October 3, 2013.

Memorial's Raymon Garcia (11) smacks hard into Mike Ramirez after he is slowed by Roger Garcia (19) as McCollum plays Memorial at Harlandale Memorial Stadium on October 3, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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Cowboy running back Mike Ramirez finds himself in the midst of a memorial trap as he tries to make yardage in the first half as McCollum plays Memorial at Harlandale Memorial Stadium on October 3, 2013.

Cowboy running back Mike Ramirez finds himself in the midst of a memorial trap as he tries to make yardage in the first half as McCollum plays Memorial at Harlandale Memorial Stadium on October 3, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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Mike Ramirez sprints upfield for the Cowboys as McCollum plays Memorial at Harlandale Memorial Stadium on October 3, 2013.

Mike Ramirez sprints upfield for the Cowboys as McCollum plays Memorial at Harlandale Memorial Stadium on October 3, 2013.

Photo: TOM REEL

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The Cowboys' Jeffrey Valdez is pounced on by Carlos Conde (2) as McCollum plays Memorial at Harlandale Memorial Stadium on October 3, 2013.

The Cowboys' Jeffrey Valdez is pounced on by Carlos Conde (2) as McCollum plays Memorial at Harlandale Memorial Stadium on October 3, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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Memorial quarterback Alfred Ramos throws in the first half as McCollum plays Memorial at Harlandale Memorial Stadium on October 3, 2013.

Memorial quarterback Alfred Ramos throws in the first half as McCollum plays Memorial at Harlandale Memorial Stadium on October 3, 2013.

Cowboy quarterback Ralph Vidal dives for more yardage on a keeper to the right against Raul Rangel (top) and Steven Hernandez as McCollum plays Memorial at Harlandale Memorial Stadium on October 3, 2013.

Cowboy quarterback Ralph Vidal dives for more yardage on a keeper to the right against Raul Rangel (top) and Steven Hernandez as McCollum plays Memorial at Harlandale Memorial Stadium on October 3, 2013.

Photo: TOM REEL

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Memorial quarterback Alfred Ramos pitches out after being trapped by Gonzalo Tristan as McCollum plays Memorial at Harlandale Memorial Stadium on October 3, 2013.

Memorial quarterback Alfred Ramos pitches out after being trapped by Gonzalo Tristan as McCollum plays Memorial at Harlandale Memorial Stadium on October 3, 2013.

Photo: TOM REEL

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Memorial's Manases Cano tries to twist away from a tackle by Luis Castaneda as McCollum plays Memorial at Harlandale Memorial Stadium on October 3, 2013.

Memorial's Manases Cano tries to twist away from a tackle by Luis Castaneda as McCollum plays Memorial at Harlandale Memorial Stadium on October 3, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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Cowboy quarterback Ralph Vidal pitches the option to his running back as McCollum plays Memorial at Harlandale Memorial Stadium on October 3, 2013.

Cowboy quarterback Ralph Vidal pitches the option to his running back as McCollum plays Memorial at Harlandale Memorial Stadium on October 3, 2013.

Cowboy quarterback Ralph Vidal slogs through for some tough yards as McCollum plays Memorial at Harlandale Memorial Stadium on October 3, 2013.

Cowboy quarterback Ralph Vidal slogs through for some tough yards as McCollum plays Memorial at Harlandale Memorial Stadium on October 3, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

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McCollum catches a break, snaps skid vs. Memorial

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SAN ANTONIO -- As McCollum coach Juan Hinojosa walked off the field at Harlandale Stadium, he said simply, “It's been a long time since the ball bounced my way.”

The Cowboys snapped a two-game skid thanks to some sheer luck in the final minutes of a 36-35 victory over Memorial on Thursday night. McCollum recorded a safety when a snap went over the Memorial punter's head and bounced to the back of the end zone with 3:36 remaining.

It was the Cowboys' only lead of the game and enough to overcome the Minutemen, who are off to their best start since 2005.

“We'll take it,” said Hinojosa, who is in his first season at McCollum. “You've got to give all the credit to Memorial. They played lights out tonight. I love our kids. Every time they answered the challenge, and we got the lucky bounce there at the end.”

The Cowboys improved to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in District 29-4A. The three victories match Hinojosa's win total in his previous four seasons at stops at Highlands and Pearsall.

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Memorial (3-2, 1-1) took leads four different times. McCollum used its plodding attack from the Slot-T to answer with quarterback Ralph Vidal (22 rushes, 122 yards, two TDs) and running back Mike Ramirez (25 rushes, 156 yards, one TD). Ramirez also provided an electrifying kickoff return for 90 yards that pulled the Cowboys to 35-28 with 34 seconds to go in the third quarter.

Ramirez added a 30-yard run that cut Memorial's lead to 35-34 at the 5:38 mark of the fourth quarter. On the extra point try, however, McCollum mishandled the snap, and the holder was tackled as Memorial maintained a one-point lead.

Memorial was forced to punt on its next possession.

The Minutemen's Gabriel Robles set up to punt in the middle of his team's end zone. He had no chance to catch a high snap that sailed to the back of the end zone for a safety that was the difference in the game.